Upcoming quiet gaming build

[Atranox]

I'm looking to do a silent (or relatively quiet) gaming build sometime soon. I'm curious how everything looks with these parts.

CPU: i7 6700k
CPU Cooler: Cryorig H7
Motherboard: Asus Z170 Pro Gaming
GPU: Asus ROG Strix GTX 1080
Case: Define S or P400S (thoughts between these two?)
RAM: 16GB Corsair Vengeance DDR4 3000
PSU: 750W EVGA G2
SSD: 1TB 850 EVO
HDD: 1TB Caviar Blue
Additional Case Fan: 140mm Fractal GP-14

Does anyone have any advice on how to improve this or make it any quieter?

[CA_Steve]

Welcome to SPCR.

CPU: i7 6700k - Do you have some games in mind that need the i7? For mainstream gaming, an i5 does just as well and I doubt that'll change much for the next couple of years.

CPU Cooler: Cryorig H7 - Seems like a decent $35 cooler with low min rpm fan. No firsthand knowledge. Can't comment on fan tonality. Alternatives: if i7 and no OC, Scythe Kotetsu. If OC, then perhaps the Ninja 4. If i5, and even some OC, the Kotetsu would be fine.

Motherboard: Asus Z170 Pro Gaming - ok

GPU: Asus ROG Strix GTX 1080 - what's your monitor resolution / do you have specific games that require this amount of graphic horsepower?

Case: Define S or P400S (thoughts between these two?) - Define S comes with two 140mm fans vs P400S' two 120mm..the former will probably run cooler at similar noise levels.

RAM: 16GB Corsair Vengeance DDR4 3000 - gaming won't require 16GB of RAM. So, unless you do a lot of video editing, etc, go with 2x4GB. You can always add more RAM in the other two slots. DDR4 3000 is overkill for gaming. If you had a Samsung 950 Pro or better M.2 SSD and did a lot of high powered CPU use, then maybe there's a benefit. For gaming, 2400 or 2666 will do.

PSU: 750W EVGA G2 - 650W P2 is better. Or, Corsair RM550x.

SSD: 1TB 850 EVO - ok.
HDD: 1TB Caviar Blue - if this is the relabeled 5400rpm Green, ok...Although I'd lean toward a bigger HDD. They are cheap and backup space goes quick. I use the WD Reds.

Additional Case Fan: 140mm Fractal GP-14 - try the two fans that come with the case and see if you like the performance/tonality. Then decide what you want to do.

[Atranox]

Thanks for the feedback!

CPU: i7 6700k - Do you have some games in mind that need the i7? For mainstream gaming, an i5 does just as well and I doubt that'll change much for the next couple of years.

I occasionally do some video editing - so while it's not 100% necessary, I'd rather have a bit of overkill than to wish I had bought it down the line.

GPU: Asus ROG Strix GTX 1080 - what's your monitor resolution / do you have specific games that require this amount of graphic horsepower?

I have a 1440p GSync monitor @ 144hz. So I'm looking to try to keep a stable framerate at 144fps at 1440p when possible, which might be a bit much to ask of a 1060 or 1070.

RAM: 16GB Corsair Vengeance DDR4 3000 - gaming won't require 16GB of RAM. So, unless you do a lot of video editing, etc, go with 2x4GB. You can always add more RAM in the other two slots. DDR4 3000 is overkill for gaming. If you had a Samsung 950 Pro or better M.2 SSD and did a lot of high powered CPU use, then maybe there's a benefit. For gaming, 2400 or 2666 will do.

I'm going with 16 over 8 simply for the occasional video editing The price difference wasn't overly significant.

PSU: 750W EVGA G2 - 650W P2 is better. Or, Corsair RM550x.

Thanks, I'll take a look at the 650W P2. I was opting for 750W for overhead in case I go for SLI down the line - but it's unlikely.

HDD: 1TB Caviar Blue - if this is the relabeled 5400rpm Green, ok...Although I'd lean toward a bigger HDD. They are cheap and backup space goes quick. I use the WD Reds.

It's actually the 7200RPM Blue.

[CA_Steve]

Go for the 5400rpm drives. Big diff in noise levels vs 7200rpm.

[quest_for_silence]

CPU Cooler: Cryorig H7

Albeit some Cryorig fan performed quite decently in SPCR tests, it's a 212 Evo-like performer: with just 3 heatpipes IMO it doesn't cut that well for a Core i7 6700K, I'd pick a beefier Thermalright/Noctua/Scythe.

Case: Define S or P400S (thoughts between these two?)

The P400S lacks airflow, it's not as efficient as the Define: not recommended for a 6700K + 1080.

Additional Case Fan: 140mm Fractal GP-14

Fractal has just released the newer GP-14 X2, with an improved bearing, check if available.

Does anyone have any advice on how to improve this or make it any quieter?

As said by Steve, get rid of the 7200rpm drive and think to the Corsair RM550x as PSU if conveniently priced (it's more than enough even for a contemporary SLI).

[Atranox]

Albeit some Cryorig fan performed quite decently in SPCR tests, it's a 212 Evo-like performer: with just 3 heatpipes IMO it doesn't cut that well for a Core i7 6700K, I'd pick a beefier Thermalright/Noctua/Scythe.

What are your thoughts on the Thermalright True Spirit 120M Rev.A or True Spirit 140 Power?

The P400S lacks airflow, it's not as efficient as the Define: not recommended for a 6700K + 1080.

Thanks, I'll go with the Define S.

As said by Steve, get rid of the 7200rpm drive

I'll go with either a 5400RPM drive or possibly look at a second SSD, if I can work it into my budget.

and think to the Corsair RM550x as PSU if conveniently priced (it's more than enough even for a contemporary SLI).

Any particular reason you prefer the Corsair RMx series over the EVGA G2 line?

[CA_Steve]

RMx has a better fan profile than the G2.

cooler: 120M is a decent cooler that can have a buzzy fan.

[Atranox]

RMx has a better fan profile than the G2.

cooler: 120M is a decent cooler that can have a buzzy fan.

Think the 120M would be louder than the H7? I'm also looking at the BQ Shadow Rock 3 and Scythe Kotetsu.

Thanks again.

[quest_for_silence]

Albeit some Cryorig fan performed quite decently in SPCR tests, it's a 212 Evo-like performer: with just 3 heatpipes IMO it doesn't cut that well for a Core i7 6700K, I'd pick a beefier Thermalright/Noctua/Scythe.

What are your thoughts on the Thermalright True Spirit 120M Rev.A or True Spirit 140 Power?

The 120M is slightly better than 212 or H7 but its stock fan is just terrible (IMO/IME): given you have not space contraints in the Define S, probably it wouldn't be my first choice.

The 140 Power is a very fine option, but it's wider and taller than most single tower coolers, so check your actual clearance: in case I'd rather to pick it over any H7/212/120M or 120i.

A Macho is a proven alternative from TR, as well as the Ninja 4 from Scythe, while the smaller Kotetsu seems a tad underpowered for a 6700K. The bigger Noctuas (NH-D15S, NH-U14S, NH-C14) are very expensive but fit the bill nicely.

I can't say anything about the Shadow Rock 3: broadly speaking it shouldn't be that bad, though its much more expensive Dark Rock 3 Pro sibling didn't fare well in SPCR low airflow tests (while the more modest Shadow Rock Slim bested it noticeably).

and think to the Corsair RM550x as PSU if conveniently priced (it's more than enough even for a contemporary SLI).

Any particular reason you prefer the Corsair RMx series over the EVGA G2 line?

PSU choice depends on several factors, quietness, price, dimensions, efficiency and so on.

Usually the RM550x has an advantage on price, dimensions and efficiency over the G2 650 and 750, and it uses a better rifle bearing fan.

Please note that (as said by Steve) the RM550x is noticeably quieter than the G2 550, and G2s lack OTP (Over Temp Protection, which might come handy dealing with semi-passive PSUs, though actually I don't think it's a real concern in such a setup).